Ian Wallace

Bought this this morning in the Chester Oxfam shop for a couple of quid. Its more than I would pay nornally but Ive always had a soft spot for Ian Wallace since I saw him on children's TV back in the 50's- probably singing "The Hippopotamus Song".
This was released in 1957 on the Parlophone label. No mention of the Beatles producer George Martin on it but imagine he had something to do with it as he worked for Parlophone and produced lots of records by Peter Sellers, The Goons, and other comedy acts at the time.
On this EP he is accompanied by Donald Swann on piano and indeed three of the songs here are written by Flanders & Swann.

Wikipedia says-

"Ian Bryce Wallace, OBE (born 10 July 1919) is a British bass-baritone opera and concert singer, of Scottish extraction.

Born in London, Wallace trained as a lawyer, but never practiced. After World War II he was for many years a feature at Glyndebourne and was also closely associated with Scottish Opera. From the early 1960s to the 1980s, he performed a one man show, featuring operatic excerpts, ballads and comic songs. He was particularly noted for his performances of the music of Flanders and Swann, and The Hippopotamus became his signature tune.

To the general public, Wallace is best known for having been a panellist throughout the 27-year run of the radio panel game My Music, not missing a single episode of more than 520 that were broadcast.

Although proudly Scottish by ancestry and upbringing, Wallace happened to be born in London, a fact that was the subject of several jokes and at least one trivia question on My Music.

He now lives in Highgate in North London with his wife Patricia. He has published two autobiographies: Promise Me You'll Sing Mud and Nothing Quite Like It."


Ian Wallace - Transport Of Delight

Ian Wallace - The Gay Gondolier

Ian Wallace - The Income Tax Collector

Ian Wallace - Down Below


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